Cross-Institutional Mentorship: A Catalyst for Advancing Equity and Inclusion in STEMM Student Intervention Programming

• In Event: Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM Education

Abstract

Bold steps are needed to change unacceptably low rates of completion and racial disparities at historically white institutions that have the most research resources. Few studies have monitored collaborative and dialogic mentor partnerships for STEMM interventions. This study theoretically posits that cross-institutional mentorship is a novel way to introduce changes that result in programs that advance equity and inclusion for student success. Institutional case studies reveal how cross-institutional mentorship works, including information about how participants learned from each other in a dialogic way about culturally responsive practice. The cross-institutional partnership lent legitimacy and contributed to the sustainability of the new programs, allowing learning to occur at multiple levels across institutions. The model’s advantages and challenges are discussed.

Authors

• Sylvia Hurtado, University of California - Los Angeles

• Channel McLewis, University of California - Los Angeles

• Edwin Perez, University of California - Los Angeles

• Norma Angelica Jaimez, University of California - Los Angeles